Electrode holder



Feb. 2, 1943. M, GALLO 2,310,020

ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed March s, 1941 2 .sheets-sheet 2 6l www Patented Feb. 2, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE 2,210,020 menons: nomma Michael Gallo, Baltimore, Md., assigner of nity per cent to Howard E- Crook, Sr., Baltimore,

Application March 3,h 1941, Serial No. 381,438

(Cl` 21S-8) 2 Claims.

This invention refers to electrode holders for welding and particularly those belonging to the class pertaining to welding through manual operation and has the following objects: to provide a concealed switch construction for connecting and disconnecting current in the handle from the electrode holding members; to provide an arrangement whereby the operating parts of the switch construction will be locked in both connecting and disconnecting positions, after it is moved to either position; to provide an arrangement for increasing the life and use of the holding members by making them interchangeableA in the handle used for manipulating them; to provide a simple yet none the less effective arrangement in the holding members that will enable them to hold, adjust or let go the welding rods as the operator may wish while using the device, through the use of the same hand that he employs to hold it. Another object is to provide a construction that will be of -a substantial character with a minimum of loose parts; that -will readily fit4 or assemble its different parts ford a more practical tool or instrument designed to-provide a welding rod holder that will be relatively easy to use; that may be electrically disconnected in a safe and effective manner and which will enable the rods to be adjusted, inserted or removed through the use of the same hand that is holding the device. Its structure consists of a fully insulated handle which encloses the electrical connections and switching arrangement of the holder, the holding members for the electrodes and the hand operated separation lever for adjustably spreading the rod holding members. 'I'he llatter is of very simple construction that eliminates the use of pins and parts that would usually require considerable labor for their attachment and care in their placement'.

In the drawings, which illustrate an example of this invention: I

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through a welding rod holder embodying this invention; with its holding members in closed position and switch members in open position;

Figure 2 is also a longitudinal sectional view 'taken through the welding rod holder in locked position, with the holding members holding a welding rod, and switch members in closed position;

Figure 3 is a detail view of the holdingvmembers with the holding members opened apart by the manipulation of its separation lever;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the complete device assembled; with its holding members holding a welding rod;

. Figure 5 is a transverse section through the handle portion of the holder along the line 5--5, of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a section taken on the line 8 6,

of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a section taken on line 1-1, of'

Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a section taken on line 8-8, of Figure 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

In the construction shown in the drawings, its handle I is preferably of an insulating material like hardV rubber or fibre. It is cylindrical in form with a passage 2 running its entire length. A .slot I is provided for the insertion of a switch block and with holes l for Ventilating the interior. One end portion 9 is screw threaded at 5 and has a key slot I I5 to contact key I I6 to guide the insertion of plug 8 which holds the conducting cable 1 and the contact elements 8 for carrying current into the device. 'I'he other end portion I0 is smooth interiorly and has a bevel II arranged in it for holding the yoke I2 in its proper alignment in the handle.

The yoke consists of a metal or conductingV body preferably made in a form like that indicated in the drawings, wherein its head portion I3 is shaped to ilt into the end portion I 0 and with its under portion Il, in the bevel II. The head is cut out internally at I5 in a rectangular manner, so that two fiat metal rod holder blades I6 and 26 may fit with their surfaces in spaced contact with each other, as indicated. The middle portion II of the roei holder blade I6 is formed to allow the ilat rectangular head I8 attached to the fiat sided shank I9 to position itselfY in between the holder blades and to allow the shank to operate in the rectangular slot 2 I; The

angularly positioned lever 20 attached to the l shank I9 enables the hand of the user to manipulate the head and to force the outer portions of the members I6 and 26 apart for the insertion, removal or adjustment of the Weldingrods |00. This lever is provided with a strong insulation shell 22 that prevents injury to the user by heat or electricity. This shell is hollowed out to take a wrench member 23 .that is used to tighten or loosen set screws 2l in the yoke I2 which serve to adjust the control on the rectangular sectioned blades I6 and 26 in the yoke. The square sided Slots 25 in both ends of the blades serve as clamping edges for the welding rods. Both end portions of the rod holder blades are symmetrical and can be interchanged in position in the head of the body. Thisfpermits either end to be used for holding rods, or to be used for insertion in the handle I, as may ber preferred. A pin vor key 21 is placed in one of the sets of slots 25 that are positioned in the head portion I3, to provide a pivot and better control the members I6 and,

26 and prevent their mlsalignment. The slot I5 in the yoke allows access to the portions of the blades in the head portion I3 and for the insertion or removal of the pin 21 and serves to hold the latter in place. A groove 33 is provided longitudinally in the body and retains a ilat spring A28 until its cross piece 32 engages in the slot 3|, and

thus locks it in place subject to its removal un- 1 der extra efforts on the part of the user, when and the locking piece 30. The 'spring acts resiliently on the locking piece. This locking piece has a. slot 3| across its face transversely into which rests the cross piece 32 mounted in the body and crossing the front of the groove 33. A conductor knife 3B attached to the back end portion of the yoke I2 is formed to t within the resilientcontact elements 6 when the holder is arranged to carry current to the holder members.

When the yoke is in position within the handle, its locking piece 30 is positioned under the slot 3 so that the button 35; may be attached to it. The button or switch block 35 serves to hold the locking piece and operate the same when the yoke is moved longitudinally into the handle. The sides 39 of the yoke are made to provide a spacing between them and the inside surface of the shell as shown.

In the normal use of the device, the holder blades with the pin 21 in position and lever 20 in place, are inserted into the yoke and the set screws 24 tightened on them to fasten themy securely. The head portion I3 is brought close to the end portion I0 of the shell. The switch block 35 is then attached to the locking-piece. Then the yoke is forced into the shell until its head I3 rests on the end portion I0 and the un-l derportion I4 is aligned in the bevel I I. This also brings the knife 34 into place in between the contact elements 8, and allows current to flow from the cable 1 into the metal yoke I2, and thence to the blades and welding rod. The welding rod may be placed in either of the slots 25 at the outer end of the blades, according to its size or form or the incidental convenience. The blades I6 and 26 have the pin 21 inserted in one of the pairs of slots 25 disposed in the handle at the time. The action of the pin varies according to which set of slots it is in. The resiliency of the holding action of thev blades is increased as the slots 25 further away from the outer end of the blades are used. This makes the blades adaptable for varied forms of welding rods. )The pin 21 forms a fulcrum on which the blades may swing and creates the space between the blades for the movement. The operation of the angular positioned -1ever 20 seems to be obvious in the drawings. The fulcrum of the lever is. at the edge 40 of the head I8 when the lever is pressed towards the handle I, for spreading the blades. The position of the head nearer the fulcrum enables the opening of the blades to be consider- .ably more at the slots where the welding rod is than the spread at the head. The resiliency also is stronger in this arrangement. The holes 4, in the wall of the shell handle aiord ventilation for the release of heat from the internal conthe yoke is to A,be removed fromithe shell.

, iWhile but one form of the invention is indicated in the drawings, it is not idesired to limit this application for patent to this particular lform, or in any l'other way, otherwise than limitedby the scope of this application, as it is appreciated that many other forms, using the same principlescould be made and come within the eld of the appended claims.

Having thusdescribed the invention, what is claimed is: y

1. In an electrode holder of the class described, comprising a handle formed from insulating material, a blade retainer slidably mounted in one end of the handle and locked in position by a depressible locking electric switch means which projects through the said handle, elongated rectangular blades' arranged parallel to each other and having 4transverse grooves adjacent their end portions symmetrically arranged for interchanging welding rod and a pivot pin and inserting same in said handle, one of said blades being straight and the other blade having its middle portion bent to form a recess through which a lever passes to operate a head attached thereto and providing a separating block for rotating movement with its transverse edges contacting portions of the inner surfaces of the blades to force same apart and loosen the welding rod, a metal plug contactor element inserted in the other end of said handle and connected with an electrical cable.

2. In an electrode holder of the class described, comprising a tubular handle formed from insulating material, a metal plug contactor element inserted in one end of said handle and connected to an electrical cable, a blade retainer inserted in the opposite end of said handle having its curved surfaces contacting the inner curved surface of said handle and straight sides to provide air space between the handle and the blade retainer and handle, a pair of rectangular shaped blades arranged parallel to each other and having transverse grooves adjacent their end portions symmetrically arranged for interchanging the welding rod in one end for a pivot pin in the other end and inserting the end with the pivot pin into the retainer, one vof said blades being straight and the other having its middle portion bent to form a recess through which a lever may pass to operate a head attached thereto and disposed in the recess between the blades, said head forming a separating block for rotating movementwith its transverse edges contacting portions of the inner surfaces of the blades to force same apart and loosen up on the welding rod.

MICHAEL GALLO. 

